Event companies in Scotland who have “faced real hardship” during the coronavirus pandemic will now be able to apply for financial aid.
VisitScotland has announced details for a £6 million fund to help the events sector recover from the ramifications of lockdown.
The Events Industry Support Fund will comprise of a one-off grant of £10,000 to support businesses such as caterers, equipment hire companies, security teams and event organisers and promoters.
This fund will help firms which have not received Scottish Government sponsored Covid-related funding from other schemes.
Paul Bush, VisitScotland’s director of events, explained that 600 companies would be able to access the “much-needed” funding.
Welcome news for the Scottish events industry today. We’ve launched a £6m Events Industry Support Fund to provide financial help to businesses in the events supply chain across Scotland (apps open 31 Aug). For more info, including eligibility criteria: https://t.co/w0kUeiAFz1
— EventScotland News (@EventScotNews) August 24, 2020
He said: “The events industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic as one of the first industries to stop and it will be one of the last to restart.
“There is a desperate need for support and this £6m Scottish Government fund will help a number of businesses in the short term until we can start to run events again.
“This fund is designed to give a much-needed cashflow support to those companies who have faced real hardship during lockdown.
“It is on a first come, first served approach, with only the first 600 applications being awarded funding, so I would urge those in the events supply chain to get their applications in as soon as possible.”
Applicants must have a place of business in Scotland and supply to events physically taking place in the country – with only one application per business being permitted.
Fiona Hyslop, cabinet secretary for economy, fair work and culture, said: “We know the events sector has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and whilst we have set out indicative dates for a staged return of the industry, difficulties will continue for a long time to come.
“This funding is the result of close collaboration with the sector to work out exactly what challenges they face and tailor our support to help them as best we can.
“Scotland has a track record of successfully planning and delivering events at international, national and local level and we will continue to work with the sector as we emerge from lockdown to ensure we remain the perfect stage.”
The fund is not intended to support year-round operations such as attractions, venues or members of the hospitality industry such as hotels, pubs, bars and cafes.
Applications for the fund will open from noon on August 31 until noon on September 14 with full details on the application process and requirements available at: www.visitscotland.org/events/funding/coronavirus-support-fund